outpost 21 via the historic burma road

Hike on the historic Burma Road along the edge of Martyr’s Forest﻿ and climb to Outpost 21, a military outpost during the 1948 War of Independence. The effort is definitely worth it!

Distance: Just over 6﻿ ﻿Km

Time: 2½ ﻿hours

Type of hike: Circular

Difficulty: This hike is minimally difficult in a few places climbing over bare rock and loose stones, but it is not at all dangerous.

Starting point: The parking lot by the Makhal Monument. There are many picnic benches surrounding the parking lot.

Directions and parking: Enter " Monument Makhal" into Waze ﻿and click on " אנדרטת מח׳׳ל". From route 1, turn onto route 38 towards Beth Shemesh. After a few minutes, you will see a brown signpost to the Machal Monument and Burma Road E on your right just before the Paz gas station. Turn onto the underpass to Burma Road E. There is a parking lot by the Makhal monument.

Public transportation: Buses 415 and 417 from the Jerusalem from the Central Bus Station stop at the Mesilat Tzion intersection. From here, it is about an 18-minute walk to the beginning of the trail.

OVERVIEW

﻿THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM﻿ AND THE BURMA ROAD

During the 1947-1948 War of Independence, West Jerusalem was under siege, and by May 1948 the situation had become critical. Supplies of food, water and arms were at rock bottom, and there was a very real possibility that Jewish Jerualem would have to surrender to the Jordanian Arab League.

In January 1948, local Arab forces had taken control of the hills between Sha’ar HaGai and Al Qastal, and convoys carrying supplies along the only road to Jerusalem were suffering heavy losses and were unable to reach the city. In April 1948, Jewish forces went on the offensive﻿ and the Palmach was able to capture these positions during Operation Nachshon (see essay "Israel's War of Independence" on the webpage Castel National Park). However, a new problem now emerged that prevented Jerusalem from being supplied.

In May 15 1948, at﻿ end of their Mandate, the British vacated Latrun monastery and the police fort that dominated this part of the road. The Harel Brigade immediately took control of these hills, but they were dislodged by the Arab Legion, who appreciated that Jewish Jerusalem could be starved into submission by blocking the Sha'ar Hagai/Bab el Wad ravine﻿. Despite repeated and very costly attempts, Jewish forces were unable to defeat the Arab Legion. So desparate was the situation that refugees fresh off the boat were sent ill prepared into battle. ﻿

A shepherd's footpath known as the “gazelle path” was now discovered that bypassed the Latrun junction, and a makeshift speedily-erected bypass route was constructed called the Burma Road after the war-time road built by the British to suppy Burma from Southwest China during the 2nd Sino-Japanese War﻿.﻿﻿ Initially, vehicles had to be pushed part of the way, ﻿and supplies had to be carried by mule, and even by hand, for the steep sections of the road.﻿ In June 10, the steepest section, the Serpentine Path, was opened for vehicles, although they had to be dragged up by tractors. ﻿

The Arab Legion in Latrun was aware of what was happening and shelled the road, but had no direct view of the construction. The Burma Road was completed on June 14, and by the end of June nightly convoys were delivering supplies to Jerusalem. The Arabs had previously cut off the water supply to Jerusalem, and water and fuel pipes were also laid alongside the road﻿.﻿ For several months, this route was the sole means by which supplies were delivered to Jerusalem, even though Latrun remained in Jordanian hands (and continued so until the Six Day War). ﻿

The Burma Road road began not far from Kibbutz Harel and crossed what is now route 38. From here, it ascended to the Jerusalem Mountains, joined the road by Bayt Mahsir (Beit Meir), passed Saris (Shoresh), and then connected with the main Jerusalem road. The part you will be hiking on is the section from route 38 to Beit Meir.

The commander of this operation was "Mickey" Marcus (1901-1948), who had previously been a US Army colonel and had taken part in many high level assignments. After V-E Day he was put in charge of providing for the millions of displaced persons in Germany. He was shocked by what he saw and began thinking seriously of Zionism. In 1947, his help was requested by David Ben Gurion, and he volunteered for the then fledgling Israeli army. He designed a command and control structure based on that of the US army. He was the first general of the Israel Defense Force and in May 1948 took command of the Jerusalem front, including construction of the Burma Road. Unfortunately he was killed by friendly fire when he went out of his tent to urinate covered in a white sheet. He did not understand Hebrew well and was unable to provide the password. Those who shot him did not understand his English. He was buried in West Point cemetry in the US.

The Trail:

Before starting on the hike, take a few minutes to look at the Machal Memorial on the far side of the parking lot.

3,500 volunteers came to Israel to fight in the 1947-1948 War of Independence. and this memorial is to those who lost their lives. The name "Mickey" Marcus, the commander who built the Burma Road, is included in the list on the wall.

Take the red-marked “Jeep Trail”, which you drove on before entering the parking lot and which is part of the Burma Trail, into the Judean Mountains. It ascends along the edge of Martyr’s Forest, which was planted in memory of those killed during the Holocaust. A forested deep ravine is to your left and a forested incline on your right.

After just over 20 minutes walking, take the blue-marked footpth into the wadi on your left. The beginning of this trail is about 200 meters after the first intersection on your right and is not well marked.

After reaching the bottom of the wadi, the path ascends and after some distance meets the green-marked trail, which is also a Schvil Yisrael trail with blue, white and orange markings. Turn right towards Outpost 21.

The top of the mountain is Outpost 21. There is a sign in Hebrew explaining about the outpost. There are wonderful views from here. One can also turn to the left along a short unmarked trail for a different view (see picture above). Route 1 is now directly below you.

The Palmach defended this height from waves of Arabs on May 10 1948 during﻿ the War of Independence. Six defenders died and many were wounded. The views from the top of this hill are quite outstanding, and you can appreciate why the Palmach were so anxious to have this hill in their hands.

Now turn back on the green-marked trail down the hill. This is a popular trail and you may meet other hikers, although going in the opposite direction to you towards Jerusalem.The trail continues through a forest and leads eventually to the parking lot and your car. (If you need a cold drink or snack, it is a very short drive along route 38 in the direction of Beit Shemesh to the closest gas station). ﻿﻿﻿

Nearby places of interest:

The mall in Beit Shemesh is not far for shopping, coffee shops and restaurants.

Stalectite Caves(Sorek Cave/Avshalom's Caves). This is a warm (22 degrees C), 82-meter long cave, containing formations with a rich array of shapes and in a variety of mineral-based colors. Some meet stalagmites to form stone pillars.﻿﻿ Some of the stalactites have been dated to as much as 300,000 years old. There are a lot of steps to the entrance. The cave can be slippery so use shoes with traction. Hours are 8.00 AM-5.00 PM April to September and 8.00 AM-4.00 PM October to March. Closes 1 hour before Shabbat. 24 NIS for adults and 15 NIS for children. Call 02-991 1117﻿ for details.﻿

Israel Police Heritage Museum at 9 Virginia St., West Industrial Park, Beit Shemesh. Exhibits illustrate the history of policing through multi-media presentations, holograms, films, reconstructions of crime scenes and more. Open Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays, 9.00 AM-4.00 PM. There are tours in Hebrew at 10.00 AM, 1.00 PM and 2.30 PM. Tours are also available in English, but call ahead 02 578 8268. There is no admission charge.

Monument to the volunteers from outside Israel (Machal) who died in the 1947/1948 War of Independence.

View of Outpost 21 from the Jeep Trail/Burma Trail at the edge of the Martyr's Forest